1. The instrument or agency through which an end or purpose is accomplished. 2. Resources; available property; money or property, as an available instrumentality for effecting a purpose, furnishing a livelihood, paying a debt, or the like. Means of support. This term embraces all those resources from which the necessaries and comforts of life are or may be supplied, such as lands, goods, salaries, wages, or other sources of income. Meidel v. Anthis, 71 111. 241.